Need Help?

2003 Nissan Altima Base 4dr Sedan Manual

2003 Nissan Altima
Trim Info:
Front Wheel Drive, 4 Door Sedan, Compact
23 mpg city / 29 mpg hwy
Other Trims
Do you own this car?
Estimated Mileage
 Miles
Enter current mileage for most
accurate info about this vehicle


Track Your Service Records
Get Recall Alerts
Get Updated Value Estimates on Your Car.
back to question list

Ask the Community

Ask Our Auto Mechanics


March 4, 2013, 10:40 am

Tom M
 

Question: Head Gasket Replacement

I took my 02 altima 2.5s in for an oil change. Turns out the oil has coolant in it, and my head gasket needs to be replaced. I'm not sure what to expect on cost or if this repair will lead to even more issues. I've asked what additional repairs may be needed in addition to the head gasket and the mechanic won't say until he is looking at it apart.

This of course makes sense, I'm just worried that replacing the head gasket is going to lead to more problems that are not worth fixing. However you won't know until you've paid 1k+ to replace the head gasket.


March 10, 2013, 12:13 pm

Elizabeth K
Expert Mechanic

Once the head gasket is fixed (head checked for crackes, resurfaced, reassembled), there are typically no further problems relating to it. Just make sure you've corrected the reason it overheated to begin with (which is why heads warp).


1/1 users found this helpful.

Ask our panel of certified auto mechanics a question. We pay for their advice so you don't have to



My Auto Score

See the free AutoCheck score

Meet The Experts
Kim Perrin
Kim Perrin is our resident mechanic here at DriverSide. Kim worked as…
Tyler Orr
Tyler Orr is an expert in German and Japanese cars and has been a mechanic …
Elizabeth Kriesten
Elizabeth Kriesten worked as an automotive technician for several years at Dodge…
Tips on Servicing

Car Brakes: How Do You Know When to Change Them?

By Zach Bowman For those who suffer a daily commute through heavy traffic, your vehicle's braking system can bring thousands of pounds of metal, plastic and empty Starbucks cups to a stop hundreds of times before you get to work. It goes without saying that these pieces wear out, but they do so slowly, meaning you may not notice they need attention until ...

Read more…